September 21, 2012. Artemas, PA. The Beautiful and Damned.

F. Scott Fitzgerald died thinking he was a failure.  He had been an alcoholic for many years and his income from the sale of his book was meager.  He was not treated well during his years in Hollywood, who apparently thought that the most important aspect of his life was his consumption of alcohol.   He wrote many many short stories for the Post and Esquire, just to pay his bills.  In their eyes he was a failed writer and he agreed with them.  in 1940 he died of a heart attack at age 44.  But by 1960, his name had not been forgotten.  Rather, the critics and the reading public realized the error of their ways.  Bit by bit, he became one of the finest writer of the 20th Century.

I have not read F. Scott Fitzgerald for many years...until now.  The Beautiful and Damned is the book I am reading now.   It was his second book and was free on my Kindle.  I down loaded it months ago.  I am astonished with the quality of the writing.  I read a lot, much written by historians or journalists.  But reading F. Scott Fitzgerald is a reminder that  fine writer is in a class apart.   His writing is succinct, colorful, pointed and interesting.  On one page, he describes the color changes a person makes from birth to old age.  It was all true.  He is a wonderful writer.  A recent article called The Great Gatsby the best American novel ever.   Pretty good for a failed writer.